Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for uterine fibroids, sinusitis, neck disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, back disability, and bilateral foot disability (plantar fasciitis).

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of a higher disability rating for his lumbosacral degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DJD and sciatic radiculopathy were denied increased ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine strain and left knee conditions have been denied. The rating for the back condition prior to May 26, 2023 is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating. From May 26, 2023 onward, the claim remains denied due to lack of evidence showing forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or worse. The left knee instability claims are also denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to February 12, 2022. The Board found that the disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee strains and TBI have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of increased ratings for DD of the lumbosacral spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as the issue of a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his right and left knee disabilities, lumbar spine disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). The case will be returned to the Board after the requested development.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for gastritis and a spinal muscle disability of the lumbar region due to the Veteran's withdrawal of those appeals. The claims for fibromyalgia and neuritis of the vagus nerve are remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a recurrent lumbosacral spine disability, including lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and arthritis. The Board found no evidence of such disabilities during active service or within one year after separation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple joints and feet is being remanded due to incomplete service history provided by the VA examiner.,Additional evidence will be sought, and a new opinion will be obtained regarding the relationship of these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is at least as likely as not related to a fall off a truck during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent since April 23, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of September 19, 2018 for a 20 percent evaluation for his lumbar spine disability. The Board found that there was no evidence to support an increase in severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability prior to September 19, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) based on permanent and total disability was granted with an effective date of June 16, 2006.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for a low back disability and left foot disability due to potential issues with causation or aggravation by service-connected conditions, as well as skin and scar increased rating claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to comply with prior remand directives.

The claim to reopen service connection for a low back disability based on the receipt of new and material evidence is granted. The claim for service connection for a low back disability, to include as secondary to service-connected disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's current back disorder and its relationship to his military service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain treatment records, conduct a VA examination, and provide an opinion on the nature and etiology of any diagnosed back condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.